Saiwa Swamp
National Park is
the smallest
national park in
Kenya. It was
established in
1974 and is
managed by the
Kenya Wildlife
Service. The
park covers just
2.9km˛ and was
created
specifically to
protect the
habitat and
preservation of
the rare
Sitatunga, an
aquatic
antelope.
The vegetation
is a mixture of
forest and swamp
habitat with
tall bushes and
reeds along its
marshy edge.
There are tree
platforms
overlooking the
swamp from which
visitors are
guaranteed to
view the
Sitatunga. The
park also hosts
other Kenyan
animals but due
to its miniature
size, it's not
as popular as
Kenya's other
national parks.
Saiwa Swamp is
located near
Kitale town, in
the Rift Valley
Province of
Kenya. It is
385km (239
miles) northwest
of Nairobi,
close to the
Ugandan border,
and quite
remote. Access
is via the
Sitatunga Gate.
It is close to
Mount Elgon
National Park,
which is also
worth visiting.
Saiwa Swamp
National Park
has no roads
within its
perimeter, but
18km (11 miles)
of walking
trails and
bridges meander
around this
delightful
national park.
It is an ideal
park to visit if
you enjoy
walking,
bird watching or
camping. There
are boardwalks
and four
strategically
placed
observation
towers to watch
the wildlife and
372 species of
birds including
the Ross' turaco
and the
blue-headed
coucal. When
visiting the
park, remember
to wear a hat
and carry water
with you to
avoid
dehydration. A
camera and
binoculars for
viewing the
wildlife, and a
spotter's guide
to identify the
animals and
birds will also
be useful. |
